HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2f - Purchase of Motorola Radio Consoles DATE: November 21, 2017
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Robert Guthrie, Chief of Police
By: Jennifer Brutus, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF RADIO CONSOLES FROM MOTOROLA FOR THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM THE EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT
FUND IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $600,000 Recommendation: Waive the Formal Bid Process and Approve
SUMMARY
It is recommended that the City Council waive the formal bid process and approve the
purchase of four radio consoles from Motorola, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $600,000 utilizing a cooperative purchasing contract to ensure the best rates possible.
Funds for this purchase have been budgeted in the FY 2017-18 Equipment
Replacement Fund.
BACKGROUND
The radio consoles in the Police Department's Dispatch Center have out lived their life
expectancy. The current consoles were placed into operation in 2006, received a
software/hardware upgrade in 2011, and were deemed as no longer supported by the manufacturer in 2016. The Department opted for a 1-year maintenance agreement with AT&T, but the current equipment needs to be replaced with newer radio console
systems because the current model is no longer supported by the manufacturer. The
City cannot risk the current radios going down during dispatch operations and disrupt
emergency communications. The Police Department must adhere to specific standards for digital radio
communications and this replacement would ensure the Department's Dispatch Radio
System is compliant with current Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”)
requirements known as Project 25 (“P25”) and compatible with the public safety communication interoperability systems, which are currently being deployed throughout Los Angeles County. Overall, the new P25 radios will improve reliability and
interoperability with other first responder agencies.
Purchase Motorola Radio Consoles November 21, 2017
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DISCUSSION
Like handheld and vehicle radios, dispatch radio consoles are amongst the Police
Department’s primary means of communication, including responses to 9-1-1 calls,
emergency responses, investigations, and traffic enforcement. Motorola radio equipment is currently being utilized and is the preferred vendor because of compatibility with existing Motorola equipment including the Department’s handheld
radios, radio identifiers, battery chargers, batteries, microphones, handsets, headsets,
and peripherals. Dissimilar radios will create officer safety, training, support, and
logistics issues. It is recommended that agencies not mix radio manufacturers in their fleet due to significant differences between manufacturers and how the radios are operated.
Currently, Los Angeles County, San Diego County, and the City of Glendale have
contracts with Motorola for radio communications equipment, which local agencies also utilize for the purchase of radio equipment at deeply discounted prices. The City’s purchasing rules allow the Department to use other agencies’ contracts to facilitate
purchases, also known as piggyback contracts. Oftentimes, the volume of these
contracts alone results in cost savings to the City.
Through research of several contracts, staff has determined that it would be in the best interest of the City to piggyback on the San Diego County Regional Communications
System (“SDCRCS”) cooperative purchasing contract with Motorola for this purchase, a
contract the Department has used in past years for radio purchases.
By purchasing the equipment under this contract, the Department will ensure compatibility with existing radio infrastructure, P25 compliance, and realize significant
savings. Thus, it is recommended that the City Council waive the formal bid process
and purchase four radio consoles from Motorola in an amount not to exceed $600,000
utilizing the SDCRCS cooperative purchasing contract. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds for the purchase of four radio consoles have been allocated in the FY 2017-18 budget under the Equipment Replacement Program.
Purchase Motorola Radio Consoles November 21, 2017
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council waive the formal bid process, and authorize the
purchase of radio consoles from Motorola for the Police Department from the
Equipment Replacement Fund in an amount not to exceed $600,000.